Killing Mites In Hay

[OohFeeshy]

The weather is absolutely freezing, and we need lots of hay to insulate the rabbit as soon as possible... I don't think bringing the hutch in is an option at the moment, so we need a way of killing any mites in the hay as quickly as possible... The freezer can only hold a few handfuls at a time and it needs freezing overnight. Does anyone know any ways of killing the mites that can be done nowish?

 

[Angel Lady]

Wont flea powder kill them?? I have always heard that it would but I am not for sure.

 

[The-Wolf]

Mites are difficult to kill. They are also hard to spot initially, as they can't be seen with the naked eye. There are some home-remedies for eliminating mites, but most people opt for veterinary care, which usually involves injections of Ivermectin.
I have no idea on the home remiedies

 

[Mr.September15]

Does this come in hay sold in Petco? Or do you get your hay from somewhere else, if you freeze your hay can you keep it in a plastic bag?

 

[OohFeeshy]

Does this come in hay sold in Petco? Or do you get your hay from somewhere else, if you freeze your hay can you keep it in a plastic bag?

Hay bought from Pets@Home. You keep it in whatever you like

Mites are difficult to kill. They are also hard to spot initially, as they can't be seen with the naked eye. There are some home-remedies for eliminating mites, but most people opt for veterinary care, which usually involves injections of Ivermectin.
I have no idea on the home remiedies

No, not on the rabbit (been there, done that)... The mites that come in the hay, that is how she got infected last time.

 

[SRC]

Hedgehogs can also get mites. Sometimes you can see them on their skin. If your hedgie is itching, or the skin appears really dry, put them on a sheet of black paper and rub their quills a bit. Look for dandruff that comes off to see if there are any mites. If your hedgie has them, there are topical treatments and injections that work for this that you can get at the vet. One treatment that I found to work (I found this on the web, but have no idea where now), is to sprinkle Borax detergent in with their bedding. Cleared it right up! Use only a very small amount, about a teaspoon when you change their bedding. Mites can also come with bedding, so be careful of that. You can find Borax at the grocery store with other laundry detergents. The box is a pale green color and has a mule on it. It's very inexpensive and will last forever!

Could this work for rabbits as well?

 

[thelastbetta]

Rabbit's don't mind the cold that much. Can't you just stuff their hutch with old towels and rags until the hay is done freezing?

 

[OohFeeshy]

Meh, she has enough body fat to keep a community of Inuits going over the winter, but my mum doesn't think so... I'll probably get her some more blanketty things anyway, even though all she does is chew holes in them.... BTW, what can be used to insulate drinking bottles, it had frozen solid the other night...

 

[Pixie25]

an old pair of socks perhaps?

we cover our guinea pigs cages with a blanket and some plastic sheeting to keep the elements out.

 

[emma12321]

Hi,

For keeping mites away this site http/www.animalmad.ltd.uk/Online_Catalog...irst_Aid_1.html has some good products, i have used johnsons mite and lice spray in the past near rabbits and guinea pigs just spray around the cage but wait for it to dry before the animal comes into contact with it.

If your really worried about mites, you could get your vet to put some ivomectin on the back of the rabbits neck as a preventative measure (a lot less stressful than injections). It works the same way as the spot on stuff you can get for dogs and cats. When i had 15 guineas and 4 rabbits at the same time i would get a syringeful of the stuff from my vet and do them all like this every 6 months, put the drops on then repeat 10 days later.

For the water bottle use a thick sock or glove like pixie suggested and don't fill the bottle right to the top or they crack when the water freezes. My critters are all in the shed now so i don't have this problem.

Emma